A Harrisburg area state lawmaker announced a grant that will restore a community garden that was destroyed by a construction vehicle last year.
The Peffer Street Pollinator Garden, planted over a decade ago, was destroyed when a contractor ran an excavator over it for hours on Dec. 20, 2024, according to witnesses.
On Monday, Rep. Nate Davidson (D-Cumberland, Dauphin) secured $25,000 through the Department of Economic and Community Development to revitalize the garden.
The grant funds will be administered through Capital Region Water’s City Beautiful H2O Program, according to a press release.
“Today, we are turning a new page and looking ahead to rebuild this important community asset,” said Davidson. “I was pleased my office could help secure this grant. It’s a win-win, supporting not only the garden’s renewal but also Capital Region Water’s ongoing stormwater management in our neighborhood. This is about restoring our faith in each other and building a city where nature and community flourish together.”
The garden’s restoration will bring back a vibrant sanctuary for pollinators and serve as a welcoming green space for city residents and visitors.
With the grant money, the Peffer Street Pollinator Garden will have the following features installed:
• A new aluminum fence with gates for protection
• A diverse array of pollinator plants
• Brick pavers for defined borders
• A new picnic table for community enjoyment
• Essential tools, plant fabric, and new signage for ongoing care and education
“Harrisburg deserves nice things, and this garden is one of them,” Davidson said. “It’s a symbol of what we can achieve together with dedication to our environment and community. We’re not just replanting a garden; we’re rebuilding with a vision for the future.”
Work on the garden is expected to begin soon.
Volunteers, the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority and Capital Region Water were investigating which contractor was responsible for the destruction. However, it is unclear if the contractor was ever identified.